Lisbon

Click for post on Lisbon

Accommodations

We stayed at the Lisbon Central Hostel which apparently is like the best hostel in the entire world and was ridiculously cheap.  It was strange though.  It was nice that we got to say we got a hostel experience because it was like a mini-hostel experience.  Steph and I shared a double in a “themed” room and had a shared bathroom, but we literally never saw anyone else so it wasn’t a problem.  Breakfast and internet were free, but you had to do your own dishes which was weird but whatever not terrible.  They made delicious banana and apple pancakes for you! We were farther from the center, but I loved our location.  It was in that like “trendy upscale shopping” area and the walk to the main area was gorgeous and so worth it. Our other friends stayed at Hotel Gat Rossio which was nicer and adorable and closer to the center. Either were fine.

Food

The food in Lisbon is OUT OF THIS WORLD.  They combine such interesting flavors and everything is so unique and creative and just downright delicious.  Always get the most interesting thing on the menu, you will not be dissapointed.

Fragoleto: The most amazing ice cream/gelato you will ever eat.  Located near the main square on the water.  Face away from the water and you will see an arch.  Walk on the next street ( Rue de Prata) to the right of the arch and walk up it for a while.  Fragoleto will eventually be on a corner on the left side.  They have the most inventive flavors that may sound weird, but are incredible.  Examples: chocolate coffee plum, cookie ice cream with poppy seeds and blueberry filling, chai, apple cinnamon.  And the flavors don’t taste like “chai flavored”…it tastes like actual chai.  We went twice.

Estado Liquido: We went to the sushi fushion part and it was delicious.  Fish swim under you!  Steph and I got this roll with salmon, eggplant, and a sauce that was cooked and it was the best sushi I’ve ever tasted and I wish I could have more.

Alma Lusitana: Right on the water, we only got sangria and dessert but it was amazing!  We got meringue stuffed with plums and a passionfruit sorbet and this pumpkin sorbet dish.  They have a live band and are open late and we wish we could live at this restaurant.

Delhi Darbar: Italian and Indian restaurant.  Sounds weird, but there’s something for everyone and the indian food was actually really good, which is all I care about.

Aura Restaurant: Right in that main square on the water, to the top left when facing away from the water.  I got coffee with ice cream in it which was great and Steph got this delicious veal croquette.  All of the sandwiches everyone else was eating looking phenom.

Pasteis de Belem: In Belem, known for their pastries which you should probably just try because they’re amazing.  These pastries are famous.

Activities

Castle of Sao Jorge:  It’s quite the hike, but it’s really pretty up there (the outside of the castle more than the inside) and they have random peacocks just running around in one area which you must make sure you see. It was pretty great, and theres also a lot of cute cafes up in the area of the castle (which is hard to get to and I don’t even really know how to explain how to get there…wing it).  It’s a fortress up there and you can see ALL of Lisbon.

Belem: You have to take a tram there but it’s worth it.  There’s a tower, which we didn’t end up climbing, cute parks, a monastery, the pastries, and the Monument of the Discoveries which I was obsessed with and portrays all the main characters of Portugal’s age of discovery. Go for the pastries, stay for the Monument of Discoveries which is on the water.

Aquarium– We didn’t go, but its apparently the largest aquarium in Europe or something to that extent.

Museum de Moda– We’re so upset we didn’t make it here.